Rafael Pérez

Rafael Pérez studied physical education at the University of Costa Rica, where he began his career as a long-distance runner. From the late 1960s until the early 1980s Pérez ran in hundreds of international races, winning more than a dozen titles across various distances and setting multiple national records. His first major victories came at the 1968 Central American Championships in Nicaragua when he won gold in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres. These results earned him a place on the Olympic team for the Mexico City Games, running in the same two disciplines along with the marathon. Despite not finishing in the latter, and only placing 30th in the 10,000 metres, Pérez went on to become one of the best distance runners of his time.

In 1970 Pérez won gold in the 1,500 metres, 10,000 metres, and the half marathon at the Central American Championships in Guatemala. The following year he did the double in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the Games in Costa Rica, before winning gold in 1,500 and 5,000 metres at the 1972 Games in Panama. That same year he ran in the 10,000 metres at the München Olympics but did not advance from the heats.

In 1973 Pérez won three golds at the Central American Games with victory in the 5,000, 10,000, and the 3,000 metres steeplechase. One year later he won silver in the 10,000 metres at the Central American and Caribbean Games, in addition to a victory at the Saint Silvester Road Race in Brazil. Pérez then competed at the Pan American Games in 1975, finishing fifth in the 10,000 metres and eighth in the marathon. After doing the 5,000 and 10,000 metres double at the 1975 Central American Championships, Pérez then won gold in the latter at the 1977 Central American Games. One of his last major international races was the marathon at the 1979 Pan American Games, although he failed to finish the course. In 1995 Pérez was inducted into the Costa Rican Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 5000 – 14:04.3 (1974); 10000 – 28:48.4 (1976); Mar – 2-16:35 (1982).